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Michael Palin opens up about his grief two years on from the death of his beloved wife Helen Gibbins and says he still talks out loud to her

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Michael Palin has opened up about his grief two years on from the death of his beloved wife Helen.

The comedian who was a part of Monty Python, now 82 years old, spent 57 years of marriage with Helen, whom he met while on vacation in Suffolk during their teenage years.

For a few years, the mother endured persistent pain, and later, she was diagnosed with kidney failure, having three children: Thomas (age 56), William (age 53), and Rachel (age 49).

She passed away at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, north London, on May 2, 2023. 

In an interview with Saga magazine, Michael expressed that he’s currently experiencing feelings of sorrow, yet manages to maintain the essence of Helen by remembering her.

As I delve deeper into fandom, I’m starting to understand why they say it takes roughly two years for one’s emotional reaction to transform. It shifts from the raw pain of loss towards cherishing the lingering essence of that admired individual, which is truly heartwarming.

I find myself experiencing a shift from intense sorrow towards a determination to carry on with life, focusing on our shared responsibility of caring for our children.

He went on to explain: “I carry on conversations as if she’s present. I’ll display a remarkably clumsy action that I know would have made her chuckle, then I’ll catch myself saying something in her tone and start laughing, even though I’m alone.

‘Imagining her being there makes me laugh.’

Inquired about his thoughts on rekindling romance, Michael responded by saying: “For such a long time, we formed a united front. It’s impossible to find a replacement for a bond that spanned 60 years.

‘I’m OK living on my own, then I go off to Venezuela or somewhere. I’m not moping.’

About residing by himself, he mentioned, “I preferred not to rely on family members for daily visits. Sadly, I can’t cook. There were several aspects, like that, where I felt somewhat exposed.

It seems I’ve found a knack for solitude, though it’s not just anyone, but Helen, who helps me navigate through it.

Sir Michael and Helen met at the seaside town of Southwold when they were 16.

In my star-struck first year at Oxford University, I serendipitously crossed paths with this acting genius, and at just 22 years old, we found ourselves bound together in matrimony.

As Sir Michael prepared documentaries on North Korea and Iraq for Channel 5 following his departure from the BBC in 2012, the TV director at the BBC was battling kidney failure.

However, in September, Sir Michael shared some remorse, stating: ‘To be honest, I don’t hold many regrets. But looking back, during my later trips such as North Korea, I may have felt differently.’

To be honest, I don’t believe she was eager for me to leave at that moment, yet she understood the depth of my passion for exploration and connecting with others. It wasn’t about escaping home; quite the contrary, it was more about satisfying a longing that ran deep within me.

More recently, the author of “Pole to Pole” has published a new book titled “There And Back,” which contains his personal diaries. He mentioned that writing these entries assisted him in dealing with his wife’s health struggles.

He mentioned that Helen had been unwell for about two years, which wasn’t a sudden demise. During this time, he was providing assistance and care to her as she endured much suffering.

‘Writing this down helped me to deal with it. I needed to remember all that.’

Previously, the actor tragically confessed that his late wife’s garments remained in the closet, creating a sense of her continued presence.

For about two years after his heart-wrenching loss, Michael shared that he finds comfort in having her possessions at their shared home, as they stir memories of the cherished moments they spent together. He further mentioned that this is why he plans to remain in their current residence forever.

In an interview with The Times, Michael expressed that he currently doesn’t have the desire to move – at least not now. His surroundings are filled with memories and reminders of shared moments, not in a sentimental or melancholic sense.

Those things you rely on are like the supporting characters in your life story. If they were all removed, we’d be in a new scenario with different roles for both of us. I prefer to keep it as it is.

‘Although it might appear unusual, I continue as if Helen is still with us. Her garments remain in the wardrobes. I prefer to keep things unchanged because I believe she wouldn’t have wanted me to alter our way of life either. The house remains comforting and welcoming to return to. I sense her spirit lingering here.’

Michael expressed that, after nearly six decades married to his beloved, he found it hard to envision initiating a new relationship since he was deeply saddened by the passing of Helen.

He expressed: “For such a prolonged period, I’ve shared my life with another person. Now, I struggle to imagine sharing it in the same depth with someone else. In essence, I feel a newfound sense of freedom.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I can’t help but find it peculiar when my companion is absent, particularly after an evening out at the theater or a delightful dinner. The desire to share my experiences with her is strong, making her absence noticeable.

I can’t help but long for the tiny yet significant aspects of our bond, and let me tell you, it’s incredibly tough to navigate through life without you – and not just because I can’t seem to master your secret ingredient in our favorite dishes!

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2025-06-23 11:04

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